What To Do If Your Gutters Or Downpipes Are Blocked
Your gutters and down pipes can sometimes clog up for no apparent reason. You may not even know that these pipes are already clogged. Once the clog is in, it’s very hard to unclog it. The blockage might go undetected for a long time and even cause water to leak into your house or business premises. If this happens, you will start to experience problems with your guttering or downpipes as a result.
These problems could be: Cleaning blocked gutters Leaking from any source whether from a damaged downpipe or blocked guttering There are some things that you can do to unblock your guttering or downpipes so that they work properly again. It may sound simple but without following these steps, it is likely that you will once again have to call an engineer out to fix the issue This article covers all of the information you need to know about unblocking your gutting or downpipes.
What Are Clogged Gutters?
A clogged roof gutter is likely to be caused by two main problems. The first is rainwater standing in the gutters because the rainwater tank is full. The second is all the leaves and other plant material that build up in the gutters and clog them up. In either case, you can prevent clogged gutter guards by emptying the rainwater tank and removing all leaves, twine, and other plant material from the gutters. You can also try doing this at the end of the season when you have got all the leaves and debris cleared out from the gutters. You can also try to clean the gutters every year to improve the process.
How To Unblock Your Gutters?
The most important thing that you can do to unblock your gutters is to make sure that the gutters are empty. If the gutters are full, it is likely that there will be leaked water from other fixtures and appliances inside the house as well. If you notice any of these signs, unblock your gutters and empty the gutters. The easiest way to empty the gutters is with a gutter elbow.
These are available from hardware stores and are meant to be used with downspouts that lead to a garden or an overhanging roof. You can purchase a cheap gutter elbow or make your own by using two plastic bags. Put one bag in each gutter and hang the bags from the overhead pipe or a similar structure. If your roof is all fiat or fully sloped, you can also use an umbrella stand.
How To Clean Blocked Downpipes?
If you are having problems with your gutters or downpipes that are caused by a clogged gutter or a blocked downpipe, you will need to clean the gutters or downpipes. To clean a clogged gutter, first, turn off the water to the gutter and remove the existing leaves by hand. Use a leaf blower to keep the leaves from getting in the way as you work on the gutter. You can also use a garden hose or a water jet cleaner to help you out. If you do gutter cleaning more often than not, it is worthwhile investing in a gutter bag or a gutter brush as they help to remove the leaves and other debris from the gutters and make the process of cleaning much easier.
If That Does Not Work, Call Plumbing Services
If your blocked drain is the result of a larger problem such as a full bathtub, it may not be worth the effort to unclog the pipe. It is often easier, cheaper, and more efficient to call a plumber and have him or her unblock your drain. If you are unsure about whether it is worth the cost or whether you should call a plumber, we would suggest you call your local plumbing service first. A plumber can help you estimate the cost of fixing various plumbing problems and drainage solutions and help you decide if it is worth it. In most cases, the answer will be “yes”.
What To Do If Your Gutters Or Downpipes Are Blocked?
If your gutters are clogged up, you will first want to try to unclog them with a wire brush. This will only work a portion of the time and could easily damage the clog. If that doesn’t work, you will need to contact an engineer. There are a number of things that you can do to unblock your gutters.
The first is to change your hose schedule. By changing the schedule, you will be changing the direction in which the water flow is happening. The second is to clean your gutters. This can be done by hand or machine. The third is to apply water-repellent paint. The final and most effective method is to call in an engineer. When you call an engineer in, they will usually recommend the ‘power-assisted’ method to unclog your gutters. This will involve pumping water through the system to dislodge the clog.
Tips To Prevent Gutters From Getting Clogged
- Make sure that you have a good drainage system underneath your house or business.
- By not using a washer, the leaves will get ‘worn out’ very quickly. You will also have less water flow through the system.
- Change your hose schedule. By changing the direction in which the water flow is happening, you will be changing the course of the water.
- Clean your gutters. Gutter clearing can be done by hand or machine. Start with checking the stormwater system and gutter straps.
- Apply water-repellent paint. The last and most effective method is to call in an engineer. When you call an engineer in, they will usually recommend the ‘power-assisted’ method to unclog your gutters.
- Use a gutter vacuum to clean the gutter from the ground.
Professional Tools Needed To Unblock
Once you have identified the source of the clog, you will need to assess the damage that has been done. This can be done using a hydrometer. The hydrometer is a device that is used to measure the amount of water in various containers such as toilets, basins, urinals, sinks, etc. If the water in your plumbing is lower than the measurement that the hydrometer indicates, then there is a chance that some of the solids that are in your downpipes will reach the hydrometer.
If this happens, you will need to replace your downpipe assembly. Clogged downpipes can also be identified visually with a flashlight. Turn on the light and shine it down into the gutter. If you see any signs of damage such as dents, cuts, or bruises, then you will need to get a professional to repair the damage.
Conclusion
Blocked downpipes happen due to a number of reasons. The most common reasons are dirt, grease, leaves, and other materials getting stuck in the pipes. If this is the case in your case, it is best to take care of the blockage before winter. You can do this by using these tips to unblock your drain.
Check out another guide on gutter replacement cost.